Vented ballistic combat helmet

Abstract

A ballistic armor helmet has two or more shell elements which are fixed to one another to define one or more ventilation gaps. The shell elements preferably overlap to keep projectiles from entering the helmet. By dividing the helmet into two or more parts, the depth and extent of the compound curvature of the shells being formed can be reduced, reducing or eliminating the need for gores, by bringing the depth of the compound curves within the inherent formability of polymer coated ballistic fabrics. The helmet more efficiently uses materials, and promotes cooling when in use, resulting in a helmet which covers a greater percentage of the head which is more comfortable and less costly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional app. 60 / 864,362, filed Nov. 3, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to ballistic armor helmets in general and ballistic armor helmets constructed of more than one piece in particular.[0004]From at least the earliest days of recorded history soldiers have worn helmets to protect their head from injuries from blows and projectiles. Even today a major location of lethal battlefield injuries remains the head. There is a continued importance of maximizing protection for the head in the form of a helmet. Helmets have always had two problems which limited their effectiveness: one is weight, the other is comfort. If the helmet weighs too much it interferes with movement of the head, if the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The ballistic combat helmet of this invention accomplishes three objectives, lower cost, cooler operation, and greater ballistic protection, through the use of multiple shell pieces assembled together to make a single helmet. Multiple shell pieces allow for the provision of one or more air vents which allow movement of air through the helmet which provides transpirational cooling, especially in hot and dry climates where sweat evaporates from the soldier's head and is readily absorbed by the dry air. The cost of the modern ballistic material is increased for deep compound curves which cannot be developed. The ballistic fabric which is layered to create the armor has limited ability to be deformed in more than one plane. Therefore in order to form non-developable surfaces such as those employed in conventional helmet shapes, the material must be cut and formed as overlapping gores which inefficiently uses material because of the necessary overlap the scrap produces and the cost of the number of cuts in the cloth. By dividing the helmet into two or more parts, the depth and extent of the compound curvature of the shells being formed can be reduced, reducing or eliminating the need for gores, by bringing the depth of the compound curves within the inherent formability of polymer coated ballistic fabrics. The present helmet more efficiently uses materials, and promotes cooling when in use, resulting in a helmet which covers a greater percentage of the head which is more comfortable and less costly.

[0007]The combat helmet has a ballistic shell which is composed of a first piece with a second piece connected thereto to define a vent gap therebetween. The pieces of the ballistic shell, while spaced apart to form a vent, will preferably overlap to keep projectiles from entering the helmet. In an alternative arrangement, a 3-piece shell may be formed with two vents, one located at each joining of two pieces. By using three pieces, each shell piece has even less of a compound curvature, increasing the ease of forming it.

[0008]It is a feature of the present invention to provide a ballistic helmet which provides greater cooling to the wearer.

[0009]It is another feature of the present invention to provide a ballistic helmet of lower cost by more efficient use of materials and greater ease in manufacture.

[0010]It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a ballistic helmet which provides greater protection to the wearer.

[0011]It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide a type of ballistic helmet which can be designed and manufactured more easily to conform to a set of requirements.

Problems solved by technology

The cost of the modern ballistic material is increased for deep compound curves which cannot be developed.

The ballistic fabric which is layered to create the armor has limited ability to be deformed in more than one plane.

Therefore in order to form non-developable surfaces such as those employed in conventional helmet shapes, the material must be cut and formed as overlapping gores which inefficiently uses material because of the necessary overlap the scrap produces and the cost of the number of cuts in the cloth.

Images